Blue, of course, contrasts nicely with white lights and is trending now as a popular color of the holiday season.

Evergreen decorated planters are also trending, says Roth.

“We do a lot of greens here, and we sell them in bulk by the pound,” he says. “People like buying them and using them as embellishments for what they have or as pot toppers — laying them on top of planters and ceramic pots. We also sell a lot of red dogwood branches, birch bark and incense cedars, which are green branches with yellow tips for plant toppers as well.”

During the holiday season, Chesterton features various-size Kathryn Weldy  gnomes by that also make great pot toppers.

For indoors, waxed amaryllis bulbs are carefree as they don’t need watering or planting in dirt.

“The bulbs come in different colors such as blue, white, green and red so they’re decorative even before they flower,” says Roth.

“Trends are shifting,” says Loretta Nosal, co-owner of Antiques on Main & Curiosities in Crown Point. “Gold is back in with a vengeance as are gold tones. Teal is big. Mid-century is very popular in style, home décor and furniture” which colors such as  turquoise, hot pink and orange.

Kirkland’s Home in Schererville is seeing a brisk business in specialty ornaments — cocktails and food such as pretzels, doughnuts, sushi and margaritas, says Jessica Rogers, a team member.

“They’re bright and colorful — pinks, blues, greens, yellows, reds — and fun,” she continues. “They’re also other novelty tree ornaments such as dart boards and other shapes.

“Traditional colors — red, gold and green — are also back,” says Rogers. “Plaid is popular,” especially for pillows, stockings that you hang on the fireplace and tree skirts.

Popular textures and shapes include accent pillows and Santa in chenille, tweeds, woven diamonds and chunky knits edged in pom poms or faux fur. 

Rogers says skinny pre-lit trees sell well, noting that “they’re easy to put up, don’t take up a lot of room and easy to put away after the holidays are over.”

Vintage looks are in at Alsip Home & Nursery in St. John, according to Heather McLean, merchandising and seasonal director. 

“There’s a lot of nostalgia this Christmas with colors like soft, muted lavenders and grays as an alternative to such classics as red, gold and silver,” she says. “And people are bringing natural elements like pine boughs, eucalyptus and other greeneries inside.”

Ornaments such as feather-tailed birds and elaborate finial shapes made from silvered Mercury glass and brass-and copper-colored glass have a distinctive old-fashioned look. Pre-lit Christmas trees come in myriad sizes.

“When it comes to outdoors, inflatables are big,” says Mike White, supervisor at Alsip Home & Nursery’s Home Center. Plug-in Santa and Merry Christmas Sign with penguin and snowman have LED and make a statement.

“A lot of people today don’t seem to have a lot of time, and there are a lot of products that make it easy to decorate yards without a lot of work,” continues White.

Lights are a major component of the stylish ease look. “The traditional red and green are popular,” says White. “There are lots of white. We carry a whole assortment.

“People always like deer,” White says of the animatronic metal-frame statues  covered in lights. “They’re easy to set up. They’re always big, every year.”

White says it’s also easy to create a musical light show, because most lights can be connected to a computer with an app.

Alsip also offers a wide selection of trees with 30 fully decorated to show the possibilities.

“They really pop, and we have them in reds, greens and multicolors as well,” says White. “When it comes to decorating and what’s trending and what’s available, there really are so many options for people to choose from.”